Team Ben

Hello Family and Friends,

We are once again taking part in the HopeKids Wasatch Adventure to raise money for HOPEKIDS INC. I am going to be honest, and let you know that I have a very hard time asking for donations, especially in this economy. I know that none of us are in great shape, so I really wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was for a worthy cause. Please know that I won't think badly of anyone who isn't in the situation to donate. I completely understand! But if you are, we would be very grateful, and this is why.

HopeKids has been there for Ben and for us from the very beginning of Ben's illness. They've given us support, love, a social network of families that understand, and the opportunity to get together with these families while spending time with our own. We appreciate HopeKids so much, that whenever we meet a family who qualifies we ask, "Have you heard of HopeKids?" We are so grateful they are there, not just for us, but for other families who need them at those tough times in their lives.

But HopeKids can't do it without the support of people like you. Will you please consider making a donation to help keep this wonderful organization running? You can be assured that your money goes to bless the lives of children and families who really need it.

You can make a donation by visiting our FirstGiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/benblanco

You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to HOPEKIDS INC by FirstGiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.

Please send our page on to anyone who might like to donate!

We appreciate and love you all!

Jerry, Jana, and Ben Blanco

No news is good news

Hello, Everyone! It's been quite a while since I've updated this blog. But you all can take that as a very good sign - Ben is doing great! It has been three months since his last chemo treatment, and it's amazing how much better a person feels when they don't have a bunch of toxic chemicals running through their body! Ben hardly throws up at all anymore, he has more energy, smiles and laughs more, and is getting his hair back. He is eating better and better all the time. He doesn't eat nearly enough to support himself yet, but he has eaten more the last few weeks than the whole year and a half combined. His favorite "meal" is a couple of crackers with some cut up cheese. He loves it!

Ben is also doing great with his therapy. He continues to do his horse riding (which he loves, and is helping him a ton!), and is also doing some out patient physical therapy through the summer. Ben is learning to crawl again, and is doing pretty well at it. He is still trying to build his upper body strength, and unfortunately does a forehead plant into the floor every now and then, but he'll get there. He also needs to stop for pretty frequent rests, but we are very pleased with the progress he is making. And the most important thing is that he's pleased with it, as well.

He is also "talking" all the time now. He is doing better and better with his sign language, and has been adding some speech to it. He "talks" to me with his voice all throughout the day, and sometimes I can figure it out within context, sometimes I can't, but I love that he is so motivated to get it out. It's a very rare situation anymore when we can't figure out what he wants with one form of communication or another. What a relief that must be to him!

Ben had his three month MRI a couple of weeks ago and... it was clean! No sign of cancer regrowth! His hearing is the same, which was also good news because he hasn't lost anymore hearing, and his eyes continue to improve all the time.

Ben also had the chance to go to summer camp about a month ago (the above pic is from camp). It is a camp through PCMC specifically for cancer patients and their siblings. To say that Ben loved every second of it would be an understatement! He had the best time! He made crafts, sang songs, played games, saw therapy and rescue dogs, went swimming, etc. I haven't seem him that bright and happy in a long time (except when He met Winnie the Pooh and Gang). Every time he sees one the crafts he made or gets to wear his camp T-Shirt he gets that bright happy look on his face all over again. We are just so grateful for the wonderful volunteers who made it all possible for him. I don't know if they realize just what a significant difference they make in the lives of these special kids.

So, as you can see, things have only been going up, up, up for our sweet little Benjamin. We will continue to keep you posted from time to time. But remember, no news is very good news! :)